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Letters and feedback: Aug. 1, 2018

Florida Today
Published 3:20 p.m. ET July 31, 2018

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Kayakers on an ecotour of the Banana River with Cocoa Kayaking return to Minutemen Causeway from their tour earlier this year. The river, brown with algae, makes the wildlife less visible.(Photo: MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY)Buy Photo

We have to give FLORIDA TODAY and Eve Samples credit for their recent, spot-on Florida Voices article with Jason Evans.

Mr. Evans couldn't be more serious: The climate is changing quickly and the waters are moving up. I'm the president of the Anglers for Conservation, a nonprofit organization, that deals with the community's young anglers. And I agree with Mr. Evans, "I get to work with students... the intelligence, the passion, the recognition of the problem that they face, that really gives me hope."

Hope is all we've got.

Rodney Smith, Satellite Beach

Fixing lagoon should be top priority

We have said clearly that restoring our lagoon is a top priority and we voted to help pay for it with a half-cent sales tax. Recently, some $14 million in tourist tax dollars became available for the lagoon. Our County Commission earmarked just $1 million of it, saying the lagoon was a second-tier priority. Now a $70-million aquarium is proposed on undeveloped land near the port. The funding plan for it has been fully developed and $10 million tourist tax dollars are basic and “very important” to complete funding.

My question is: If you can figure out how to fund this tourist attraction, why don’t you do it for our lagoon fishery, the real thing? Use the money to upgrade dysfunctional sewer plants to advanced technology and convert septic tanks to sewer. Besides, the undeveloped land considered should be preserved. With development going as it is, any undeveloped land that allows water to percolate and filter should be considered endangered and bought by an aggressive Environmentally Endangered Lands, EEL, program.

An aquarium is a good idea and should be done — once our lagoon is restored.

David C. Botto, Indian Harbour Beach

Thoughts on aquarium appeal

I think a proposed aquarium in Brevard County would be an excellent addition to the area. However, I fear that an Indian-River-themed facility "very different" from other aquariums, and offering a "two-hour experience," would have limited attraction to repeat visitors.

Only one of the excellent Brevard Zoo's four main exhibit sections is Florida-themed. It maintains appeal for repeat visitors because the other three sections (specific to selected geographical areas) provide variety, which holds interest at a sustainable cost.

Yet a recent FLORIDA TODAY editorial states, "Half of Brevard students — more than 36,000 — are on free or reduced lunch, meaning they are too poor to pay their own lunch at school."

Another prime example of liberal Democrat enabling programs. I suppose a sandwich and apple would break the family budget. I wonder how many of these families have smartphones, smart TVs, iPads, expensive game systems and custom truck wheels, and spend a significant portion of their income on fast food.

These big-hearted liberals discovered that monetary giveaways create votes. Unfortunately, it also robs the human spirit, generation after generation. No doubt, some of these kids need help, but 50 percent?

I am shocked that anyone not taking government handouts would vote Democrat. Your lawmakers only care about themselves.

Dennis Grzymkowski, Indian Harbour Beach

Her answer: No, I'm not safer, richer

My response to Mr. Caprario's letter is no and no ('Two questions on Trump's tenure', July 28).

President Trump has insulted, demeaned and attempted to manipulate our allies, NATO, the United Nations and others in his dealings with them. These are people and organizations who have represented our values and interests as well as pledged to support us should a war occur. He has jeopardized our safety by thoughtlessly taunting and provoking enemy country leaders. We wake up every day wondering what he will say or do next. His policies change from day to day. His conferences are rambling and incoherent.

Regarding money: I am a senior citizen relying on Social Security, Medicare and, gratefully, my union pension. By all accounts, this administration has done nothing for me regarding the above. Medicare and Social Security are being threatened and unions are being taken down by corporations Trump allies with, while protecting their interests in the belief that trickle-down economy will take care of the middle and lower class.

So for me, nothing. If I might add, the character of the man is questionable in so many areas, I would need another letter to list them. I cannot believe that we cannot elect someone to our highest office with morals and integrity, someone who would be a role model for our youngsters, someone who would live a respectful life and bring our country together rather than constantly attack those who express differences of opinions. His attacks on the news media, immigrants, physically disabled, a Gold Star family and women, and his obsession with President Obama, are beyond anything I could have imagined coming out of the mouth of a president. He has given permission to people to express openly their hatred of others different than themselves.